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Meet the team

We believe nothing beats talking to a “real person” who knows their stuff when it comes to serious matters like construction. Professional and with a “door’s always open” attitude, we’re fun to work with.

We are here for you

CMS is a specification and marketing consultancy of passionate industry advisors. We’ve cut our teeth in the trade as Engineers, Architects, Builders and Designers, on big and small projects covering all facets of construction.

Our nationwide team has a nationwide reach; with offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Our Specification Consultants service the country all the way from Kaitaia through to Bluff.

Specification Consultants

Rich Kneale

Title: National Specification Manager

Regions: Christchurch, Timaru, Invercargill, Dunedin

rich.kneale@cms.co.nz021 420 665

Rich started with CMS in September 2011. Based in Christchurch, Rich has spent the last 12 years working within a variety of industries including service, operations and construction. Working with the National Operations Management team at Rockgas, Rich is familiar with large scale national operations. He has also worked as a kitchen designer, account manager, and an operations manager. He studied at Lincoln University. Rich’s vast experiences have given him the knowledge and ability to build rapport with clients quickly and focus on their individual needs.

Robert Ellington

Robert started at CMS in June 2014 and is based in the Auckland office, a qualified architectural professional with both superyacht and architectural design experience. He was part of the highly successful team for 14 years at Warwick Yacht Design who received international recognition at the prestigious Superyacht Society and World Superyacht Design Awards. He was involved with all design aspects from initial concept sketches to complete working drawings, product selection and specifications, and has an extensive knowledge and network within the local and international design industry. Robert is enjoying sharing his knowledge and passion while delivering his presentations to architects, designers and specifiers.

Adrian Abel

Adrian has a strong background in technical sales from varying sectors including construction and engineering. Adrian prides himself on building lasting relationships. He is a mechanical engineer and likes to understand the technical aspects of products. The past 7 years Adrian has been involved with supporting the construction markets both in Australia and NZ, dealing with consultants and suppliers.

Steven Avery

Steven joins our team after eight years of managerial roles in the retail sector. His background is in account management, commercial sales, advertising, community partnerships and most recently leading his team as a proprietor.

Kelvin Ngan

Kelvin is the latest addition to the CMS team. Originally from Hong Kong, Kelvin is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese. He is our ‘go to’ person for the Chinese building sector. Kelvin has a design rich background with particular emphasis on interiors and furniture design.

Chris Renwick

Chris has been working in the electrical industry for the past 3 years in which previous to this was involved in construction and high-end product sales. Chris has a strong eye for detail and is very passionate about the industry, he prides himself on building lasting relationships in which was born in the area growing up in the Wairarapa region.

Don Van Vuuren

Don started with CMS in June 2013. Based in Christchurch, Don has spent the last 23 years in Raw Product Procurement, Product Planning, Management, and Furniture design. Prior to CMS, Don was with David Shaw Furniture where he was in charge of Production, Export, Product Design, and Project Management. During this time, and also when he worked for Kovac Furniture, Don built up very strong relationships with Architects and Interior Designers.

Pat Quinlan

Pat has joined the team after spending the past six years working in the education sector, where he created programmes focused on the integration of 21st century technology. He also has experience in the construction industry where he worked for five years while completing his University degree and graduates diploma. Pat has a strong interest in the development of new products and their uses in creating future proofed buildings.

Office Management

Ian Watt

Title: General Manager

Regions: Auckland Head Office

ian.watt@cms.co.nz021 755 636

Ian has a background in Retail, Supply Chain and Manufacturing for a variety of industries and most recently over a decade’s experience in the Building and Construction Industry. Ian heads the sales of CMS’ many initiatives and since completing a Master’s in Business Administration now oversees the management and growth of the company.

Tanya Smart

Title: Client Relationship Manager

Regions: Auckland Head Office

tanya.smart@cms.co.nz021 924 133

Tanya Smart is our Client Relationship Manager and has been with CMS since December 2009. Tanya brings the benefits of her extensive industry knowledge, her established relationships in the industry and sales driven focus. Previously, Tanya was the Commercial Sales Team Manager for one of our clients, Tile Warehouse, a role she held for 18 years. Tanya’s experience includes Project Management for a property development company, Assistant Accountant for a construction company and 7 years in finance. She is also an interior designer which is a passion she thrives on. Through her various roles, she is very well connected in the building and architectural industry. Tanya is very passionate and driven, she loves people and is very successful at building and maintaining relationships.

Rich Kneale

Title: National Specification Manager

Regions: Christchurch, Timaru, Invercargill, Dunedin

rich.kneale@cms.co.nz021 420 665

Rich started with CMS in September 2011. Based in Christchurch, Rich has spent the last 12 years working within a variety of industries including service, operations and construction. Working with the National Operations Management team at Rockgas, Rich is familiar with large scale national operations. He has also worked as a kitchen designer, account manager, and an operations manager. He studied at Lincoln University. Rich’s vast experiences have given him the knowledge and ability to build rapport with clients quickly and focus on their individual needs.

Danielle Mitchell

Chyenne Carroll

Title: Events Manager

Regions: Auckland Head Office

chyenne.carroll@cms.co.nz021 824 595

Chyenne manages and facilitates the extensive CMS Event programme. Her expertise has been developed through her years in the Finance, Insurance and corporate sectors, overseeing membership activities as well as the execution of event and sponsorship initiatives across Australasia.

Rob Savin Taylor

Title: Technical Solutions Specialist

Regions: Auckland Head Office

Rob makes it his business to find out how things work and we entrust him to make it happen. He is a fountain of knowledge, making him the ‘most valuable player’ for any quiz team and Rob can do just about anything with computers.

Bindu Sethuram

Title: Office Administrator

Regions: Auckland Head Office

Bindu is the first person you will meet when you visit CMS, her warmth and calmness is well known in the industry. Bindu started her career in India as the client liaison for a leading interior design firm and this is still one of her passions.

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